Scientific Discovery and Scientific Method

Scientific Discovery

The Crown Problem

Kekulé’s Dream

Scientific Method

· How scientific discoveries are verified (and therefore become “discoveries”)

· The basis of confidence in hypotheses, supporting claims of knowledge

The Common Sense View – T.H. Huxley

Testing Hypotheses

The Case of Puerperal Fever

Modus Tollens

· A form of the syllogism that demonstrates that the major premise is inconsistent with the minor premise.

· This is modus tollens: If H is true, then I is true. But I is not true. Therefore H is not true.

· Or, H ® I

__not I

\ not H

The Fallacy of Affirming the Consequent

· An incorrect form of the syllogism that is similar in structure to modus tollens.

· The fallacy: If H is true, then I is true. I is true. Therefore H is true.

· Or, H ® I

____I_

\ H